What Landlords, Tenants, and Real Estate Professionals Should Know
Everyone deserves a fair chance to find housing—no matter their background, family situation, or how they pay rent.
Fair housing laws protect people from discrimination. If you're a landlord, renter, or real estate agent, knowing these laws helps you stay in compliance and treat everyone with respect.
What Is the Fair Housing Act?
The Federal Fair Housing Act is a law that makes it illegal to treat people unfairly when they try to rent, buy, or apply for housing.
It protects people from discrimination based on:
Race
Color
Religion
Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation)
National origin
Disability
Familial status (having children or being pregnant)
These protections apply across the country.
Rhode Island’s Extra Protections
Rhode Island goes even further than federal law. The state also protects people from discrimination based on:
Age
Marital status
Military status
Sexual orientation
Gender identity or expression
Lawful source of income (like housing vouchers or Social Security)
Housing status (like people experiencing homelessness)
Being a victim of domestic violence
This means landlords, sellers, and agents must avoid treating people differently based on these factors.
What Landlords and Agents Should Know
1. Treat Everyone the Same. It’s illegal to:
- Refuse to rent or sell based on a protected class
- Set different lease terms or rental rates
- Say a unit is unavailable when it’s not
- Apply different screening rules to different people
Always use the same process and standards for everyone.
2. Allow Reasonable Accommodations
- If someone has a disability, you may need to make changes to help them access the unit. This could mean allowing a service animal, installing grab bars, or changing a policy.
- These accommodations help people live safely and comfortably.
3. Keep Ads Neutral
Be careful with your language. Avoid phrases like:
- “No kids”
- “Perfect for singles”
- “Must speak English”
Focus on the property—not the type of person you think should live there.
What Housing Discrimination Looks Like
Here are some common examples of illegal discrimination:
Refusing to rent to someone using a Section 8 voucher
Rejecting an application because a person is not married
Denying a tenant who has called the police for help due to domestic violence
Asking immigrants for extra documents that others aren’t required to provide
Turning away families with children
Even if unintentional, these actions can violate the law.
Are There Any Exceptions?
A few limited situations may be exempt from some parts of the law:
Owner-occupied homes with four or fewer units
Religious organizations that house members of their faith
Senior housing communities for people 55 and older
But keep in mind: discriminatory advertising is never allowed, even in these cases.
What About Section 8 and Housing Vouchers?
In Rhode Island, you cannot turn someone away just because they use a housing voucher or receive public assistance.
This includes:
Section 8
Social Security income
Child support or alimony
You can still check credit, verify income, and check rental history—just apply the same rules to everyone.
Saying “No Section 8” in an ad is against the law in Rhode Island.
How to File a Complaint
If someone believes they’ve been treated unfairly, they can contact the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights.
Contact Info:
- Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights
- 180 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903
- Phone: (401) 222-2661
- Website: http://www.richr.ri.gov/
Complaints must usually be filed within one year of the issue.
Final Thoughts from Alex Parmenidez Group
Fair housing is about doing what’s right. These laws protect people—and they also protect your business.
At the Alex Parmenidez Group, we believe in helping everyone find a home with dignity and fairness. Whether you're a landlord, buyer, or tenant, we’re here to help you understand the process and stay in compliance.
Have questions? Reach out to us anytime.